Figure 1.

Simplified depiction of CD8⁺ T-cell antitumor immunity. CD8⁺ T cells are sensitized by dendritic cells via interactions between TCRs and antigen-bearing MHC I receptors, causing activation and proliferation of the CD8⁺ T cells. Then, CD8⁺ T cells migrate from the lymph node to the tumor site, targeting the antigen-bearing tumor cells for apoptosis via perforin and granzymes. The tumor cell releases antigens, which are captured by dendritic cells, which mature in the lymph nodes and cause further potentiation of T cells. Ag = antigen; MHC = major histocompatibility complex; TCR = T-cell antigen receptor.